This beefy Argentine swears by a plant-based diet.
“Going vegan left me feeling more aerodynamic, stronger and less bloated,” Tomas Jessen, 28, a personal trainer based in Buenos Aires, told Jam Press.
The tatted-up gym rat calls himself an “accidental vegan,” revealing his “diet used to consist of about 500 grams a day of beef, chicken and fish, along with six whole eggs, bananas and whey protein.”
But since his doctor suggested going plant-based for a few weeks to combat some gastrointestinal issues he was having, Jessen has now sworn off animal products for good.
That was four years ago. Now, he chows down on tofu with broccoli and tomatoes, açaí bowls and dates instead of poultry and eggs.
He’s charting his plant-based journey on Instagram, where he posts plenty of pictures showing off his toned physique and vegan meals for his nearly 11,000 followers. He said he’s seen clients adopt his clean-eating lifestyle, too.
“I’ve had some clients who have continued with the vegan lifestyle even after finishing their training with me,” he said.
In one shirtless selfie showing off his washboard abs and buff biceps, Jessen hints that he might start an OnlyFans account and use the proceeds “to donate for the animal shelters and a bit for vegan protein powder.” He also urges fans to “go vegan” and claims in the post to have gained 15 pounds after three months of “bulking.”
Jessen stands in opposition to the idea that protein-rich animal products are necessary to build and maintain muscle.
“I am incredibly consistent with what I eat and how much I work out,” he said. The weight lifter eats a calorie surplus, meaning he consumes more than he burns, and adheres to a strict workout regime that includes cardio and resistance training.
The 2018 documentary “The Game Changers” featured similar six-pack-sporting athletes who swore by their vegan diets for high performance. Jessen said that meat made him feel “foggy,” while dairy caused him to be “super sick.” Another key to maintaining his fit frame: Jessen drinks “almost a gallon of water” per day.
And if you want the bod without the diet, Jessen suggests pullups, his favorite move. “It’s a multi-joint exercise that improves explosiveness, stability and builds muscle.”